As the Falcons staff under Raheem Morris comes together, the imagination of fans is running wild discussing the possibilities of the draft and free agency
Terry Fontenot will have the 8th overall pick, along with an arsenal of other selections, to build for the future. Given the potential run of quarterbacks with the first three picks, Fontenot very well could have a top 5 talent fall into his lap at the 8th pick.
In addition to the draft capital, the Falcons will have around $25 million in cap space before any moves. The figure could balloon to around $45 million by moving on from Jonnu Smith, Taylor Heinicke, Mike Hughes, and Lorenzo Carter. Without accounting for potential cap restructures, that would be around the 10th most cap space in the league.
The Falcons have enough wiggle room financially to be in on every significant free agent, which Brad Speilberger of PFF has them doing, naming Atlanta a free agent landing spot for a couple of the top quarterbacks and receivers in the upcoming free agent class.
Terry Fontenot will have the 8th overall pick, along with an arsenal of other selections, to build for the future. Given the potential run of quarterbacks with the first three picks, Fontenot very well could have a top 5 talent fall into his lap at the 8th pick.
In addition to the draft capital, the Falcons will have around $25 million in cap space before any moves. The figure could balloon to around $45 million by moving on from Jonnu Smith, Taylor Heinicke, Mike Hughes, and Lorenzo Carter. Without accounting for potential cap restructures, that would be around the 10th most cap space in the league.
The Falcons have enough wiggle room financially to be in on every significant free agent, which Brad Speilberger of PFF has them doing, naming Atlanta a free agent landing spot for a couple of the top quarterbacks and receivers in the upcoming free agent class.
2. QB Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
Potential landing spot(s): Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, Las Vegas Raiders
Cousins should be able to go on another free agency tour as he did back in 2018 before signing a fully guaranteed three-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings. The Falcons jump out as a team that took the risk of not having a sure thing at quarterback in 2023, which ultimately got head coach Arthur Smith fired, and they may be just outside striking range for a top prospect with the No. 8 overall pick. They could also pair a developmental rookie with Cousins starting for a year or two.
Pittsburgh has said it’ll bring in competition for Kenny Pickett heading into 2024, but this wouldn’t be competition, it would be the starting job, so perhaps Cousins is too big a fish.
The Raiders also sit at the No. 13 overall pick, and veteran Jimmy Garoppolo appears to be on the way out after getting benched for rookie Aidan O’Connell. If new head coach Antonio Pierce wants to make Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers happy, perhaps he looks to make a splash.
The Falcons are going to be in on free agents, draft prospects, and trade candidates at the quarterback position. An upgrade is desperately needed, and Terry Fontenot may end up taking more than one swing.
A guy like Kirk Cousins on a two-year deal to pair with someone like J.J. McCarthy or Bo Nix wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. In fact, considering the options, it might be the best one. The Falcons are probably going to need a stopgap option, along with a long-term play.
Cousins is the top quarterback set to hit the free agent market, and it’s not particularly close. The Falcons could compete in the present as well as establish a plan for the future with one of the draft prospects.
Terry Fontenot will have the 8th overall pick, along with an arsenal of other selections, to build for the future. Given the potential run of quarterbacks with the first three picks, Fontenot very well could have a top 5 talent fall into his lap at the 8th pick.
In addition to the draft capital, the Falcons will have around $25 million in cap space before any moves. The figure could balloon to around $45 million by moving on from Jonnu Smith, Taylor Heinicke, Mike Hughes, and Lorenzo Carter. Without accounting for potential cap restructures, that would be around the 10th most cap space in the league.
The Falcons have enough wiggle room financially to be in on every significant free agent, which Brad Speilberger of PFF has them doing, naming Atlanta a free agent landing spot for a couple of the top quarterbacks and receivers in the upcoming free agent class.
2. QB Kirk Cousins, Minnesota Vikings
Potential landing spot(s): Atlanta Falcons, Pittsburgh Steelers, Las Vegas Raiders
Cousins should be able to go on another free agency tour as he did back in 2018 before signing a fully guaranteed three-year contract with the Minnesota Vikings. The Falcons jump out as a team that took the risk of not having a sure thing at quarterback in 2023, which ultimately got head coach Arthur Smith fired, and they may be just outside striking range for a top prospect with the No. 8 overall pick. They could also pair a developmental rookie with Cousins starting for a year or two.
Pittsburgh has said it’ll bring in competition for Kenny Pickett heading into 2024, but this wouldn’t be competition, it would be the starting job, so perhaps Cousins is too big a fish.
The Raiders also sit at the No. 13 overall pick, and veteran Jimmy Garoppolo appears to be on the way out after getting benched for rookie Aidan O’Connell. If new head coach Antonio Pierce wants to make Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers happy, perhaps he looks to make a splash.
The Falcons are going to be in on free agents, draft prospects, and trade candidates at the quarterback position. An upgrade is desperately needed, and Terry Fontenot may end up taking more than one swing.
A guy like Kirk Cousins on a two-year deal to pair with someone like J.J. McCarthy or Bo Nix wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. In fact, considering the options, it might be the best one. The Falcons are probably going to need a stopgap option, along with a long-term play.
Cousins is the top quarterback set to hit the free agent market, and it’s not particularly close. The Falcons could compete in the present as well as establish a plan for the future with one of the draft prospects.
63. WR Gabriel Davis, Buffalo Bills
Potential landing spot(s): Atlanta Falcons, Jacksonville Jaguars
Davis is a fit in Atlanta as a solid run-blocker who can also take the top off opposing defenses with one of the highest average depth of targets in the NFL, creating space for Drake London and Kyle Pitts. The Falcons need another playmaker in the passing game, and Davis offers value even on dropbacks where he is not targeted. Defenses were able to stack the box and condense their coverage formations this past season, though part of that was of course due to the quarterback play, but Davis would make them pay in 2024.
Jacksonville may move on from Zay Jones this offseason with an $8 million price tag on the way after he was extremely inefficient in 2023, so Davis fills the void left by another former Buffalo Bills wide receiver with a different skill set than Christian Kirk and Evan Engram, who will continue to benefit from having field-stretchers opposite them.
Gabe Davis is an underrated member of the Bills. Without him, defenses are able to focus on Stefon Diggs. His role is instrumental in Buffalo, and he could be a similar relief for the Falcons and Drake London.
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